Don & Penny’s Restaurant

I’ve never really liked this place, always dreaded going there when my friends would drag me there due to the entire building smelling funny and it always being scorching hot inside. The building is pretty neat with the brick archways and just the set up. I would have loved it if it wasn’t full of «hipsters», smelled so bad and was so hot.
So last week my friends convinced me to have dinner there which was surprisingly good. We were served by Don & Penny’s son, who was funny but a little rude to my friend who kept asking dumb questions, I couldn’t really blame him but it hurt her feelings. I was pleasantly surprised and my opinion of the place changed.
Until last night we went back and the bartender just kept giving us dirty looks as we were playing darts. I put $ 5 in the jukebox and he eyed us down the whole time. When my music started playing he exhaled heavily and went to turn off his radio. Why have a jukebox if you’re only going to play the radio? So the very second my song was over he turned the volume for that off and turned his Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings and Hank Williams sr back up and eyed us down. If I had it in me we would have walked out without paying, but I just couldn’t. He only got a $ 1 tip on a 4 drink tab. He was so rude I couldn’t believe it. I almost want to go complain to Don & Penny. He should not work with the public…

A great neighborhood dive bar, I recommend it highly. Key word here: DIVE. Proprietors Don and Penny are just a conversation away on any given evening and are incredibly kind-​hearted, approachable people. This is a place for working class folk who put in a hard day’s work week and come here to unwind. Be sure to check your attitude and/​or unearned sense of entitlement at the door; you will find no audience here.
What you will find is great bar food, pool tables, darts, a great jukebox, the occasional live band, a good selection of drinks, a great bartender (Chris), and lively conversation.
As with all Illinois establishments, the bar is no smoking (hooray for allergy sufferers – me!). For all the smokers, there are a few bistro tables and chairs outside, as well as a brick ledge to sit on which is next to the walkway up to the door.
I think they only serve food on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings up until about 9 or 9:30 p.m. The menu consists of a wide variety of fried and finger foods, a couple of salads, HANDS DOWN THE BEST BEER CHEESE SOUP I HAVE EVER HAD, good pizza, a spattering of pastas, tex-​mex, and some cajun thrown in for good measure. Don and Penny spent a number of years in Louisiana, and Penny brought the cooking back north with her. She is typically the one to prepare your meal. She’s got something for just about everyone. When the kitchen closes, you can find her at the bar with a bottle of champagne and a glass of ice.
I have been a patron here for the past 3 – 4 years with no complaint; only good times and good memories. I’ll keep coming until they close!